Skin Conditions

Earlobe Repair

Split earlobes can even occur in people who don’t have their ears pierced. Sometimes clip-on earrings that are too tight can restrict blood flow to the earlobe, leading to necrosis, or death, of part of the earlobe, causing a split earlobe. There are also congenital causes of split earlobes.

Widened ear piercing holes, sometimes referred to as partially split earlobes, may result from wearing heavy earrings that gradually widen the piercing hole, or from earrings that were pulled while on the ear, but did not go through the ear. Some ear piercings may be purposefully stretched in order to accommodate large gauge ear tunnels.

The good news is that this is something that can be reversed. Here’s what you need to know about fixing a split or partially split earlobe.

Split Earlobe Reversal & Repair
In order to correct a split earlobe, a widened piercing hole or a stretched ear piercing, a surgical procedure is necessary. First, the area will be cleaned with an antiseptic. In order to numb the area, local anesthesia is injected into or around the area that will be fixed. A small amount of skin surrounding the split or widened hole is cut out and then restitched back together.

Depending on the type of stitching material — suture — used, you may have to return for suture removal. Some sutures are absorbed by the body and do not need to be removed. If there are no complications, you will more than likely be able to go home following the procedure.

If you’re interested in having your split earlobe, widened piercing hole or stretched ear piercings reversed or repaired, arrange for a consultation Let your physician know if you have a history or large scars or keloids. Talk about what you want your earlobe to look like after, and tell your doctor whether you’d still like to wear earrings following the procedure. Most insurance policies do not cover this kind of procedure, so this repair will probably be an out-of-pocket expense.
Whether or not you will need to get your ear(s) re-pierced after the procedure depends on whether you want to have them pierced again, as well as how the repair procedure was performed. Some surgical techniques involve leaving a small tract or hole for earrings after the repair. Let your physician know if you want to wear earrings after the procedure and the proper technique can be chosen.

Risk Factors & Complications
As with any surgical procedure in which the skin is cut, there are several potential complications that can occur, including pain, bleeding, infection, scarring, and depression or notching of the area. You will have a scar after the procedure. However, if you have a personal or family history of large, bulky scars, your risk for developing that type of scar is increased.

Post-Surgical Care
Your physician will review proper post-procedure wound care. Usually, the wound must be kept dry for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. Once that period of time has passed, daily wound care may be recommended. Your physician may recommend applying an ointment to the area as well. Some physicians may recommend silicone gel sheeting or injections if you are at risk for developing large, bulky scars like keloids